Good for hedges and parterres. Also where infection is spread over large areas. Thisapproachcreates a more open structurein the plants that discouragesbox blight.) Something else I like about Fungus Fighter Plus is that it’s safe to use around insects and other beneficial organisms, making it a safe choice that won’t disrupt your garden’s ecosystem. Fungus Fighter: at a glance

Through the removal of infected stems and leaves and promptly burning them; hard pruning shoots and burning them; and use of organically acceptable sulphur. In addition, the following mixes have been found to be effective. Good where infection is very severe, the box is not of high value, or it threatens other box plantings.) Do not over-fertilise (especially not too much nitrogen) as succulent growth is particularly susceptible Choose resistant species. The most susceptible species are Cornus florida and C. nuttallii and, to a possibly lesser extent, C. kousa. In studies in the USA, C. controversa and C. sericea were also susceptible. Native European Cornus species in the UK appear unaffected. There is currently insufficient information available for other species For more information on how The Pallet Network delivers our different types of products, please watch this short video. What Issues Could Arise With Delivery?Consider applying a fungicide (see below)before cutting and again after two weeks. Reduction can be less severe if you intend to use fungicides Don’t plant too densely, giving space between plants. Aim for an open environment to increase air circulation and reduce humidity

Try to create an open environment – avoid overhanging plants (e.g. perennials next to a parterre) or plants that crowd around the sides of a box hedge There is anecdotal evidence that the disease varies in severity from year to year, so raking up and destroying infected leaves may be helpful in reducing the amount of infection in the following year Most powdery mildew fungi have a host range restricted to a relatively few, related plants, but these can include wild relatives which can be sources of infection, e.g. wild crab apples may be sources of infection for apple orchards. Always settle for a fungicide that matches your specific needs. And when applying, follow the instructed procedure and follow all the laid out precautions. Obviously, don’t go spraying fungicides near streams or ponds, unless it’s labelled for such use. Only store chemicals in their original container and retain instructions in case of medical emergency.The fungicide tebuconazole with trifloxystrobin (Provanto Fungus Fighter Plus, Toprose Fungus Control & Protect) has a recommendation for the control of leaf spots on ornamental plants. Additionally, the fungicides tebuconazole (Provanto Fungus Fighter Concentrate) and triticonazole (Fungus Clear Ultra) are labelled for the control of other diseases on ornamental plants, and could therefore be used legally on Cornus(at the owner’s risk) to try and control anthracnose. Fungicides are made of a mixture of ingredients, in which case active ingredients are sourced from different fungicide classes. For instance, you can have ingredients from the Triazole fungicide class that function to inhibit enzymes crucial in fungi sterol-production; combined with those from the strobilurin class that are locally systematic and hurts fungal respiration.

Be sure to follow the outlined instructions from the manufacturer to the letter, including how and when to use the fungicide. For instance, if it’s recommended for use between March and September; or whether it needs to be applied using a clean garden pressure sprayer. ProsEven if you are prepared to use garden fungicides, they are unlikely to be successful as the sole strategy for managing box blight outbreaks. Pruning out and removing infected leaf litter (including soil contaminated with it) are equally important. Destroying fallen infected leaves in autumn will reduce the amount of infectious spores next spring. Promptly pruning out infected shoots will reduce subsequent infection. Fungicides for gardeners (Adobe Acrobat pdf document outlining fungicides available to gardeners) Links Because most of the growth of powdery mildews is found on the plant surface they are easily targeted with fungicides.

Clear away as many fallen leaves from under and around the plants as possible (even a few remaining leaves can lead to new infections)

What types of fungus does Provanto Fungus Fighter Plus protect against?

Baking soda and vinegar – a mixture of 1.5 tablespoons of baking soda, 1.5 tablespoons of hand soap, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and 1 gallon of water can kill the fungus on roses by altering its pH. Powdery mildew fungi produce microscopic air-borne dispersal spores from the fungal growth on the plant surface. These have an unusually high water content, enabling them to infect under drier conditions than most other fungal pathogens. The majority of the growth of most powdery mildews is found on the plant surface. The fungus sends feeding structures into the surface cells, greatly reducing the vigour of the plant. Because of this surface growth, powdery mildews are even more influenced by the environment than other plant diseases. Choosing the right plant for the right place, along with some simple measures to adjust the environment can go a long way to minimising powdery mildew issues in gardens.